The psychologist used her knowledge of mental illness to feign madness (Picture: CEN)

A psychologist is alleged to have murdered and decapitated her abusive husband, scattered his remains around the city, and then sent texts from his phone telling family and friends he was on a business trip.

Maria Alejandra Lafuente Caso, 40, is said to have drugged husband Allen Carrera Cuellar, 41, by slipping sleeping pills into his drink at their Mexico City home before chopping up his body with a chainsaw.

She is then believed to have stuffed his remains in black bin liners, which she deposited at different locations around the city before texting close friends and family saying Mr Cuellar had gone on a business trip.

‘Before the body parts were found she convinced everyone that he was alive and well by sending text messages,’ said a police spokesman.

‘After we found the remains and managed to identify him from DNA, she pretended to be a grieving widow.’

‘But a forensic examination of her home found traces of his blood and bone gristle in the carpets and bits of flesh in the bathroom.

‘She then tried to have herself sectioned using her knowledge of mental illness as a psychologist so she wouldn’t have to stand trial for his murder, but we had a doctor carry out tests and she is of perfectly sane mind.’

Police launched the investigation after children found the head of Mr Cuellar in a local park.